Apparatus for preventing printing and indicating the same in calculating machines in case the capacity of the calculating machine is exceeded

ABSTRACT

The specification discloses an apparatus in a calculating machine for preventing the taking of a result from the machine if the capacity thereof is exceeded. Rotatable digit counting means is felt by feeler member which tilt when a condition of overcapacity of the machine exists. A control member which, when actuated, prevents a result from being taken from the machine is arranged to be actuated by the tilting of any one of the feeler members.

[5o] Field zas/60.25, 6015,60 (1461:),60 010,58 (Prim), 63.21, 63.22, 63.221, 61 (13111.), 61 (DE), 60 (Gen.) [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Wilhelm Machmer Moorenbrnnn;

Andreas Metschnabl, Nuremberg, Germany Nov. 24, 1969 United States Patent [7.2] Inventors [2l] Appl. No.

[22] Filed PATENTEU FEM 8 isn SHED 1 0F 6 INVENTOR WILHELM NACH/1ER AND ANDREAS NETSCHNABL PATENTEU F551 61971 SHEI 2 EF 6 INVENTOR. WILHELM Naci/MER wo BY ANDREAS MErscHA/ABL PATENTEUFEBISIQ?! 3564208 snm 3 or e INVENTOR. WILHELM NACH/VER I4WD BY ANDREAS METSCHNABL .PATENTED fm1 elan 3.564.208

SHEET u UF e Illu-lll /I/ IN VEN TOR. WIL HEL/1 NACH/1ER AND BY ANDREAS NETSC//VABL PATENTE!) m1615171 3564.208

sHEU s nF 6 INVENTOR. WILHELM MACHMER wo By ANDREAS MErscHr/ABL PATENT@ m1 s Qn '3l 564208 SHEET S UF 6 INVENTOR. WILHELM NACHMER AND BY ANDREAS HPTSCH/V/I BL APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING PRINTING AND INDICATING THE SAME I N CALCULATING MACHINES IN CASE TIIE CAPACITY OF TI'IE CALCULATING 'MACHINE IS EXCEEDED The present invention relates t'o an apparatus for preventing printing and indicating the same in calculating machines in case the capacity of the calculating machine is exceeded. More specifically, the present invention concerns anv apparatus of the type just mentioned which comprises a mechanism into which values can be fed by means of value transfer gear racks and which comprises feeler members which in the end position range of the racks are mechanically rotatable and along a helix are provided in stepped arrangement on a shaft. This mechanism furthermore comprises abutment members which are associated with said feeler members and while being controlled by control linkage means take into consideration the comma or decimal point position. The said mechanism furthermore comprises a control member for the emission of signals and/or means for interrupting printing, said control member being dependent on the position of the feeler and abutment members, while'the comma position number is adapted to be set by comma preselecting means prior to the start of the calculation. I l

With heretofore known devices of the general type as the present invention, the mostly lateral displacement of the calculating carriage is taken advantage of to ascertain a possible exceeding of the capacity of the machine. With systems of this known type, the individual displacement steps which require the depression of a key in conformity with the value to be fed into the machine are counted. If in this way it is ascertained that the capacity of the machine is exceeded, a simple v machine-controlled-flap will blockythe corresponding key.

, relatively large masses are moved over relatively great distances, this system fails with more complicated calculating machines which simultaneously take into consideration the comma, repeat, automatic back feed of the total into the feedin mechanism, and the calculation with blue point (division according to which the maximum possible quotient or the feed-in of the dividend into the maximum possible digits of the carriage is to be effected), because in such an instancea plurality of mechanisms have to be safeguarded.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the above mentionedfgeneral type which will be able to safeguard the capacity of a machine type with a plurality of mechanisms in as simple a manner as possible.

It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus as set forth in the preceding paragraph, in which the value to be checked will, by means of a rack representing the criterium for this system and indicating the magnitude of the value, be obtained from the individual mechanisms, such as printing Storage, Iconstant mechanism and carriage, and which will` FIG. l is a perspective view of the apparatus according to the invention for preventing the printing operation.

FIG. 2a illustrates the functional cooperation of the lefthand lever which in FIG. l is located above the selector and safeguards the exceeding of the capacity of the machine during a division with comma.

FIG. 2b illastrates the functional cooperation of the intermediate lever with key and program shaft, which intermediate lever safeguards the exceeding of the capacity with the firstl factor and together with the first and second factor.

FIG. 2c shows the functional cooperation of the right-hand lever which is located above the selector and which safeguards the exceeding of the capacity with the second factor, the divisor and with fdivision with blue point.

FIG. 3 shows the positions ofthe program shaft illustrated in FIG. 2b and for purposes of comparison arranged one above nine possible feeling steps of the stepped body shown in FIG.

FIG. 5a shows the cooperation of the counting disc shown in FIG. 1 with the lever provided for divisionwith comma. l

FIG. 5b shows the cooperation of the digit counting body illustrated in FIG. 1 with the lever provided for the entry of the multiplicand and for the total of the two factors.

FIG. 5c illustrates the cooperation of the p awl carrier with the lever provided for the entry of the multiplicator and divisor and for the division with blue point.

' FIG. 6 is a modification of the apparatus shown in FIG. l.

FIG. 7a shows the cooperation of the digit counting body according to FIG. 5c with a lever provided for division with comma and illustrated in FIG. 5c at the left-hand outer side.

FIG. 7b shows the cooperation of the digit counting body according to FIG. 5c with the second lever from the left shown in FIG. 5c and provided for the entry ofthe multiplicand.

FIG. 7c illustrates the cooperationof thedigit counting body according to FIG. 5c with the third lever from the lcft shown in FIG. 5c which is adapted to bring about the reduction in the first lever.

FIG. 7d illustrates the cooperation of the digit counting body according to FIG. 5c with the lever shown in FIG. 5c at the right-hand outward portion thereof and intended for the entry of the multiplicator and divisor and for the division with blue point.

The present invention is characterized primarily in that the position of a selector adapted to be influenced by thc function 5 control linkage and a program shaft and to distinguish between feed-in functions brings about feeling movements of the respective abutment members corresponding to the respective functions and guided on a cam body, said feeling movements being effected on a digit counting body checking the feed-in values prior to the start of the calculation so as to ascertain the digit number. The position of said digit counting body is adapted to be influenced by steps associated with the gear racks, while the structural design-of the selector and digit counting body will, when the capacity of the machine is exceeded, through the intervention of intermediate gears, bring about a pivoting ,of the abutment members and of a control member releasing the signal yand/or the mechanism for preventing printing.

According to a further development of the invention, it is suggested to provide ay mechanically controllable one-piece digit counting body and a `mechanically controllable feeler y which is under the influence of resilient means while the digit counting body is selectively operatively connected with levers partially variable in length, and while the feeler lever is selectively operatively lconnected with 'a lportion of the value transfer gear racks, the so-called canceling gear racks.

With the capacity control responsiveto lateral displacement of individual structural elements or entire structural units` it is necessary, as already mentioned above, to count the inview of the specific special functions, considerably more complicated. It is also advantageous in connection with the present invention that the apparatus within the machine is very compact and that the employment of parts of synthetic material has a favorable influence on weight and price.

For the capacity control of a calculating machine according to the invention, three different mechanisms as to digit and function are of importance. In the sequence of their order, a ten digit so-called'feed-in mechanism serves for transferring a multiplicand or divisor to sprocket wheels of a so-called total control roller. The value is felt by the associated value transfer racks and is subsequently fed to the above mentioned total control roller. The said control roller transfer the value (multiplicand or divisor) to a fourteen digit calculating mechanism and its carriage where the total is formed and felt for printing. Associated vwith the calculating mechanism is a seven digit socalled multiplicator or quotient mechanism which determines the control course of a multiplication, ascertains the quotient and releases the same for printing.

By means of the keys and,above all, through so-called auxiliary mechanisms, values can be fed into the machine which can not be received by theabove mentioned mechanisms. The capacity of the calculating machine is thus limited and if it is exceeded, a printing is prevented. Instead of the value exceeding the capacity of the' machine, merely a symbol is printed which indicates this condition.

Referring now to thefirst embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, this embodiment has such a capacity that'a maximum of four ten digit values can be printed and with a multiplication, the totall ofthe digits of both factors must not exceed fourteen digits while the two factors .by themselves must not have more thanten and seven digits respectively. This output limit of the calculating machine will be secured and controlled in structural respect as follows:

Stepped Body: Each of the total of 1,4 possible digits has associated therewith a value transfer rack 44 of which FIG. 1 for the sake of clarity shows only one. A stepped body 3 preferably of synthetic materialcooperates with the gear racks. The stepped body 3 is connected to a shaft 2 journaled in the machine body. The stepped body 3 primarily represents a cylinder with sector-shaped cross section from which have been worked out over the axial marginal area a total of nine steps 3' which are distributedover the entire length and are arranged along an ideal spiral. Each step is offset relative tor the preceding step, for instance, byv 9. t

Digit Counting Body: As will furthermore be seen from FIG. l, one end of a tension spring 10 is connected to an arm 8 of a lever 7, 8 journaled on shaft 9.-, while the other end of said spring l is connected to the shaft. 10'. As will be seen from FIG. 1, the lever 7 has one end providedwith a roller ll, while its otherfend is provided with a gear segment 12. The "saidtension spring l0 presses that end of lever 7 which carries the roller 11 against a cam 6 and simultaneously presses the end with the gear segment 12 against av pawl carrier 14, for instanceof synthetic material, said pawl carrier being connected to shaft 2, for instance, by means of a screw 17. When the machine main shaft rotates, roller l1 rolls on the cam disc 6, and the two gear segments l2 and 13 mesh with each yother so that the rotary movement of the main shaft 5 is connected to the shaft 2. Rotatably journaled on shaft 1 directly adjacent to the pawl carrier 14 is a counting di'sc 18 which preferably likewise consists of synthetic material. Pawl carrier 14 and disc 18 together form the yso-called digit counting body Counting Pawls: The counting disc 18 is provided with a j plurality of recesses 19-21, protrusions 22, 23, 23'24 and has its circumference adjacent to the protrusion 24 provided with a gear ring 25 having six teeth. This gear ring meshes with two counting pawls 28 and 29 which are spring-biased by the ten- 1 sion springs 26 and 27. Counting pawl 28 has its free end provided with a nose 28' which in the starting position abuts the protrusion 24. The other end of pawl 28 is rotatably journaled on the protrusion 16 which together` with the pawl carrier 14 forms a body which is homogeneous as far as the material is concerned. The pawl carrier 14 has a further protrusion 15 located opposite said first mentioned protrusion 24. The tent. sion spring 26 connectedon one hand to the screw 17 and on the other hand to the yoke 3l of pawl 28 presses the pawl and its nose into the teeth of the gear ring 25 or into abutment with the protrusion 24. The pawl 29 has its free end provided with a nose 29' which in its basic position illustrated in FIG. 1 is, by

ring 25. Within the range of the. nose 29the pawl has connected thereto a pin 56. Pin 56 is above the slanted portion 113 of slide 91 embraced by the hook-shaped end 57 of slide 91. The other end of the pawl is rotatably journaled on shaft 32 which is connected to the machine body 1. The end 92 of the slide 91 is rotatably journaled on the shaft 59 which is connected to the yoke 60. The end 92 of slide 91 is by means of shaft 59 through the intervention of function slides 43-45 of the function control linkage 11'2, 117, 121, 43,v 44, 45 connected to the function keys.

Division of the Cam Disc Controlling the Calculating Operations. As will be seen from FIG. 2b the program shaft 110 having, for instance, a square cross section has mounted thereon a cam disc 111 for controlling the individual functions. vCam lll comprises two sections which form an image to each other, and at the possible contacting points a-g with the bolt 116' connectedto a blocking yoke 116 forms six positions which are characteristic for the individual functions, said blocking yoke 116 being adapted to be controlled by the functional keys 117. The individual function characteristic positions are in FIG. 3 shown diagrammatically. According to FIG. 3, the upper line represents the mentioned position for a multiplication whereas the lower line again indicates the division. The starting position of the cam disc is the position a. During a multiplication, after feeding in the first factor and actuation of the multiplication key, the position c has been reached. After feeding in the second factor and actuation of the result key, the position e has been reached,'and `when the total is indicated, the position g has beenreached. With adivision on the other hand, after actuation'of the division key and feeding in of the dividend, the position b has been reached, and after actuation of the result key and feedinglin of thc divisor, the position d has been reached, and after the remainder has been indicated which also may be zero, the position f has been reached. Finally, the indication of the quotient is followed by the position g which is equivalent to the position a or the starting position of the cam disc.

Swivel Arm and Function Slide. Temporarily one or two of the three levers 34-36 journaled adjacent to each other on shaft 9 engage by means of their arms 37,158.71 and 39 under the inuence of tension springs 83 the value counting bodies 14, 18. Each of these tension springs 83' has one end connected to the shaft 10 and has its other end connected to the arms 84' respectively associated with the individual levers 34- -f36. The three levers 34-36 rest by means of arms 37'39 on the cam body 40 which is connected to the machine main shaft 5. Therespective resting positions 34''36' are adapted to the radius of curvature of body 40. The selector 52 determines which of the three levers 34,36 is permitted to carry out a feeling movement on the digit counting body 14, 18.

vThree function slides 43-45 are `respectively connected to a function key 117. Of these slides 43-45, the slides 43 and 45 are provided with a downwardlyV extending ear 54,55 andl above the rod 46.

117, 121, 43, 44 and 45 has been depressed, which key is con nected to a shaft 124, each selected gear rack moves in a manner known per se in the direction of the arrow A backwards (FIG. 1) by a stroke which is proportional to a pertaining and fed-in value. Subsequently, by means of the cam disc 6 arranged on the machine main shaft 5 und by means of the two-arm lever?, 8, the shaft'2 is turned in clockwise direction until the `stepped body 3`abuts the uppermost moved out gear rack 4, in other-words that gear rack 4 which occupiesrthe position farthest to the left. ln thisconnection it will be seen from the diagrammatic'illustration of FIG. 4 that the fourteenth and thirteenth gear rack have associated therewith the uppermost step and each further gear rack up to and including the fifth gear vrack and associated therewith a separate step. 3'so that the fourteenth and thirteenth gear rack will do with one and the same feeling operation, whereas each additionalfgear rack can be felt only stepwise with a step only pertaining to one gear rack. No feelingfoperation is provided for the first to third gear rack since calculating operations in this low digit range cannot cause any exceeding of the capacity of `the calculating machine. l i

Digit Counting Body and Counting Pawls. The values felt from the gear racks 4 by means -of the stepped body 3 are transferred to the gear ring 25 of the counting disc 18 while a step of the pawl 28 or nose 28'in the teeth of the gear ring corresponds to the above mentioned'angle division of 9 from gear rack to gear rack or step to step. The starting point of the pawl always is the abutting position of nose 28against the protrusion 24. From this position, the pawl ornose starts to count during a turning movement of shaft 2 or a corresponding feeling of the gear racks 4 by the stepped body 3, and itis from this position that the pawlstarts to skip the individual teeth similar to a pawlratchet mechanism while in conformity with the six teeth a difference is being made only between the first six steps. With seven, eight of nine required steps, the pawl or nose is correspondingly far beyond the gear ring in order subsequently, following4 the pull of spring 6, to return behind the last tooth serving as abutment. This differentiation is possible because seven value positions or seven gear racks correspond to the first mentioned six steps or, in order to men tion a further example, four value positions or four racks correspond to nine steps. Two times seven value positions or gear racks 4will exhaustthe capacity of the calculating machine provided for fourteen digits as is in particular indicated in FIG. 4

' at the corresponding position by a dot-dash line.

When actuating the function key 117 (FIG. 2b), which may be a multiplication, division or total key, the slide 91 permits the pawl 29 or its pin 56 through the intervention ofthe incline 113 to engage the teeth of gear ring 25 of the counting disc 18. The hook-shaped end 57 of the slide serves as safety against a throwing out action during the clearing operation by means of the lever 33 which will be described in detail at the end of the description of the embodiment. The tension spring 27 connected on one hand to the counting disc 18 and on the other hand to the pawl 29 is loaded and presses the pawl into the-teeth or into abutment with protrusion 24, in contrast to pawl 28, however, only` in the working position and not in the basic position. The pawl 29 which, when counting in the steps, moves along with the pawl 28 is intended to record in the 'counting disc 18 the steps symbolizing the first factor of a multiplication, while the pawl 28 skips the teeth and returns to its starting position in order subsequently to count into the counting disc the second factor.

When actuating the function key 117 in the direction of the arrow C (FIG. 2b),l the function lever v121 pivotally connected to and journaled on shaft 124 will, by means of a bolt 114 connected to the lever 121, lift the pertaining function slide 43- -45 to such an extent that the rail 122 frees the extension 123 on the side of the slide. At the same time, the drive motor not shown in the drawing is turned on, and the machine main shaft is connected or clutched to the motor. In slots 63-65,.the slide rests on shaft 59. The levers 34-36 which have those ends thereof which arel adjacent to the keys provided with recesses 47---51l furthermore occupy the starting position shown in FIG. 1 in view of the position of the cam body 40 above the shaft 41 will during a division and a multiplication always occupy one of four possible positions 93-96 (FIGS. zzz-2c). During an addition (and subtraction, however, the levers 34-36 are ineffective since they are supported by the shaft 59 oi yoke-60TH thebsicpsitionthereof Yok Yt'car-` ries a rotatable roller 62 which moves along a cam disc 61 connected to the machine shaft 5 and thereby accordingly pivots the yoke mounted on shaft 4l. i

Division Without Comma. If it is now desired to carry out, for instance, a division, first the keys are actuated in conformity with the desired program andthe division key is actuated whereupon the pertaining function slide 45 moves out in the direction of the arrow A. As a result thereof, by means of the ear 55 of slide 45 which ear is close to the rounded nose 68 of the selector 42, the selector 42 is pressed into the rearmost position 96 (FIG. 2b) about shaft 41 as point of rotation. This is effected against the thrust of the tension spring 30 which acts between the bar 46 and the selector 42. vDuring this course there follows successively the outward movement of the value transfer gear racks 4 in the same direction, the sensing or feeling by means of the stepped body 3 of the maximum keyed-in value, and the feeding-in of the value into the nonillustrated carriage of the calculating machine. Subsequently, the function slide 45 returns and in a nonillustrated manner brings about an adjustment of the program shaft ll0 or the cam disc 111 mounted thereon whereby the bar 46 provided with an oblong hole 53 is in a direction counter to the direction of the arrow A adjusted to such an extent that the selector 42 which by means of bolt 42' engages the oblong hole 53 will, under the influence of the tension spring 30, spring into position 94 which from the front represents the second position. After depressing of the total key, the divisor is by means of the value transfer gear racks which have moved out again keyed into the amount roller, and the selector 42 occupying the position 94 permits the lever 34 to carry out a sensing or feeling movement relative to the protrusion l5 of the pawl carrierl4. Connected to the lever 36 is a slide 69 which is movable in the direction of the arrow A. The said slide 69 has each of its two ends provided with an oblong hole 70 (FIG. 5a) which is engaged by a guiding bolt 72 and 73 respectively of the lever 36. The lever 36 has an upwardly protruding arm 84. Arm 74 of slide 69 has its free end provided with a cam surface 75 which rests on the left-hand track of the control arm 72 which is connected to the shaft 76. Arm 84 is by means of a tension spring 78 connected to the slide 69. The tension spring 78 has the tendency to hold the guiding bolts 72 and 73 in engagement with the rear ends (seen in the direction of the arrow A) ofthe oblong holes 70. With all calculating operations, except when the capacity of the machine is exceeded duri'ng a division with comma, the slide 69 is by means of the control cam 77 displaced in the direction ofthe arrow A against the force of the tension spring 78 to such an extend that the arm 39 of slide 69 will always rest on thc left one ofthe two tracks ofthe counting disc 18.

Division with Comma. lWith a division with comma. the lever 36 will, when the capacity is overdrawnfor a brief period in view of the entry of the dividend` have its resting area 36'engage the recess 40of the cam body 40 and will with its recess 51 fold over the rail 52 of the selector 42 while the latter is in its rearmost position 96. The two other levers 34 and 35 are blocked by the rail. The arm 39 of the slide has moved out the less the greater the digit number is on the righthand side of the comma. In other words, the arm `has the best `chance to rest on the protrusion 23 of the left track of the counting disc 18 when as few as possible comma digits exist while the minimum number is two and the maximum number is four digits on the right-hand side ofthe comma (FIG. 5a).

Division with Blue Point. The so-called calculation with blue point" represents a special situation in this connection. By calculation with blue point is meant a division in which the maximum possible quotient or the feed-in of the dividend in the highest possible digits of the calculating machine carriage is to be realized. The above mentioned functional course will still remain valid. For the purpose of feeding-in thc dividend. the lever 34 is equipped with an additional slide 79 which is likewise movable in the direction of the arrow A. This slide is similar'to slide 69 provided with two oblong holes 80 and 8l into which extend guiding bolts and 86 respectively which are connected to the lever 34 and its arm 82 respectively. Also this slide is equipped with a cam surface 89 by means of which it rests on the right-hand track of the control cam 77. The

lever 34 is furthermore through the intervention of a tension spring 87 connected to the slide 79 which spring 87 normally maintains the guiding bolts 85 and-86 of the lever 34 in engagement with the rear ends ofthe oblong holes 80 and 8l of the slide.

During a division with blue pointthe slide 79 or its ear 88 standing in front of the recess 48 of lever 34 frees the recess because it is displaced in the direction of the arrow A by a cooperation of the control cam `77 and the cam surface 89.

. In case that the capacity is exceeded, the lever 34 drops for a brief period, caused by the feed-in of the dividend, with its resting area 34' into the recess 40'` of the cam body and by vmeans of its freed recess 48 will inthe rearmost position 96 of the selector 42 extend over the rail 5 2 of said selector 42.

Multiplication-After the feed-in ofthe first factor and the depression of the multiplication key,.thefunction slide 43 associatedwith the multiplicationoperation.moves out in the tension spring 83' cause the arm 38 of the lever 35 to drop in front of the protrusion 23' (FIG. 5b) and would permit the arm 37 of the lever 34 to drop in front of the protrusion l5 (FIG. c). If now with a multiplication, the first factor amounts, for instance, to ten digits and the second factor amounts toseven digits, the two factors will by themselves correspond to the predetermined conditions. However, their total will amount to seventeen digits so that the second condition, namely the maximum of 14 digits, is exceeded. Expressed differently, three and six-digits respectively and a total of nine steps correspond to the ten and seve'ndigits respectively according to FIG. 4. All combinations of factors which together correspond to nine, ten or eleven steps representan overdrawing of the capacity of the machine so that in such instances the lever 35 will drop into the recess 21 of the counting disc 18.

When the first factor or the total is too high-formed from the first. and secondfactor-the arm 83 of the lever 35 moves direction of the arrow A. Since its 'ear 54 in its basic position is spaced farther lfrom the selector 42 than the ear 55 of the function slide 45, the function slide 43'will with this operation no t actuate the selector 42 in spite of a stroke which during a divisioncorresponds to the stroke of the function slide 4S or ear 55, but instead merely will touch the nose 67 of selector 42. vThe selector 42 does not have to be pivoted because its basic position 95 simultaneously represents the starting position for the multiplication operation. In a time sequence, there will nowfollow the outward movementof the value transfer racks 4 in the direction of the arrow A, a brief stay in this position for purposes of sensing the maximum keyed-in value by means of thestepped Vbody 3 or its steps 3'and the feeding in of i the value into the corresponding mechanism. The arm 38 of the lever 35 now senses the righthand track of the counting vdisc 18 until the 'tenth digit inclusively. Subsequently, the

function slide 43 again returnsand releases in a manner not .shown a rotary movement of the program shaft 110 or the cam disc arranged thereon from the position a to the position c (FIGS. Zband 3). As a result'thereof, also the bar 46 is adjusted against the direction of the arrow A so that the selector 42 will now.lby means of the tension spring 30 and with the shaft 4l as point of rotation; spring intol the foremost position 93. ln'this connection it is to be notedthat the first overdrawn factor will be printed and only the second factor as well as the total will not be printed. f t

With a relatively small first factor, i .e. up to four digits, the stepped body will, as mentioned above, carry outa maximum of nine' steps. This -would mean a capacity overdrawng for the total on the digit counting body and would cause the arm 38 of the lever 35 to drop into the recess 21 vof the counting disc- 18.

ln order to prevent such action, this'lever 35 will now have its other. `arrn 7l rest on the trackA ofjthe pawl carrier 14 (FIG.

Now the second factor is feel` inby depressing the total key, and this factor is again through the intervention of the moved out transfer gear racks 4l fed into the respective mechanism. The selector 42 occupying the position 93 will permit the levers 34 and 35 to carry out a sensing movement relative to i the digit counting body 14, 18. The levers 34 and 35 will normally by means of their arms 37 and 38 rest on the track ofthe 'pawl carrier 14 (FIG. 5c) and the right-hand track of the counting disc 18.

l As has also been mentioned above, the total of the digits of 'both factors must not exceed the number fourteen. The fifteenth digit means overdrawingof thecapacity and causes the arm 38 of lever 35 to drop into the recess 21 of the counting disc 18 in view of the influence of the corresponding tension spring `83'be cause at this point also the recess 40' of the cam body 40 will have arrived underneath the resting positions 34' and 36' of the levers 34--36. As further limitation it is determined` that the first factor itself mustnot have more than ten and the second factor by itself must not have more than seven digits. The eleventh digit of the first and the eighth digit of the second factor would mean overdrawing the capacity of the' machine and would underthe influence of the corresponding the blocking slide 58 in a direction opposite to the direction ol' the arrow A so that its nose 107 will drop in front ofthe ear 107 ofthe clearing lever 103 in the position preventing the printing. If the second factor is too high, the lever 34 will with its arm 82 move the slide 58 in the same manner into the mentioned blocking position.

The product is automatically transferred and can be further employed only as first factor. Since the first factor must not exceed ten digits and while the total may have up to fourteen digits, it is necessary to feel or sense the l l digit when the total is indicated. The selector 42 will in the position total indication" permit the levers 34 and 35 vto carry out the feeling or sensing movement while the first mentioned lever would already drop when an eight digit total is involved. For this reason, the lever 34 is blocked by the latch 90. The latch moves out in the-.direction of the arrow B and with its recess will be located adjacent the upperedge of the arm 82' so that now the lever 34 is arrested in its basic position or is prevented to carry out the otherwise possible rotary movement. With this operation, theprogram shaft 110 will occupy the position e (FIG. 2b) which is associated with the total indication. Since the system Apermits a maximum of twelve steps which corresponds to seven plus seven digits, there is for this number of steps provided a protrusion 221on the counting disc 184 by means of which protrusion the lever 35 will abut.

Repeat Multiplication. A particular feature of the present invention is the repeat multiplication. According to lthis repeat multiplicationit is provided that the once keyed-in first factor,

if for instance a key was mistakenly depressed, can be re' lpeatedly keyed in again.vr By actuating the multiplication key,

the first factorcan be repeated until the calculating operation is initiated by the product key. The selector 42 is located in front of the repeat-still from thefirst keyed-in operation-in the foremost position 93 and the function slide 43 associated with the multiplication function is in its basic positionflf the repeat is releasedby actuating the multiplication key, the ear t 54 of the slide 43 engages the nose 64 of the selector and moves the latter against the thrust of the tension spring 30 to the abutment of the bolt 42' atthe rear end of the oblong hole-l 53 when viewing in the direction of. the arrow A. From this basic position 94, the selector 42 will subsequently return to l provided a clearing lever 103 which cooperates with the bolt 102 of roller lever 118 and is Vunder the influence of a spring 101. At the start ofthe running of the machine,`clearing lever 103 carries out a pivoting -movement in counterclockwisc direction. During this movement, the turn-off vportion |03' hits the blocking lever 58 at its portion .106 and unlatches the same at 107 and 107'. The free end 104 of the clearing lever 103 catches below the ear 33' of the lever 33 so that the latter likewise turns in counterclockwise direction. The arm 119 of the lever 33 pulls the pawl 28 out of the teeth of the counting disc 18 while the bolt 115 pulls the pawl 29 out of the teeth of disc 18 so that the latter, under the influence of the tension spring 27, springs into its basic position. ThisA clearing movement of the lever 103 must be prevented when the total key is to be actuated. To this end, the function slide 44 is equipped with a bolt 44' which when the function slide moves outwardly in the direction of the arrow A blocks the clearing lever 103 by catching below the nose 120.

The blocking lever 58 which after actuation of the total key, in view of the shape of the slot 58'has been lifted in the position shown in dash lines will, lprovided it occupies its front printing preventing position, prevent a pivoting position of the turn-on member 100 which latter in its turn will in a manner not shown prevent'printng or release merely a corresponding symbol indicating overdrawing of the capacity of the machine.

. SECOND EMBODIMENT According to another embodiment of the invention, the calculatingmachine of the above outlined type has a capacity of only twelve digits which, with regardto the combination possibility of the two factors, represents a favorable digit number with the multiplication because in such an instance, as will be explained further'below, only one single number combination has to be secured against overdrawing while in all other instances a single factor selected too high will by itself suffice to prevent the printing. Therefore, as limitation it is to be noted that the total of the digits of two factors must not exceed twelve, when calculating with comma must not exceed fourteen, and that the first factor by itself must not exceed eight and the second factor by itself must not exceed seven digits. The ninth digit of the first factor and the eighth digit of the second factor mean capacity overdrawing for the individual factors by themselves.

With the stepped body which in this embodiment has six steps 3 cooperate six value transfer racks 4 out of a total of twelve. For reasons of clarity, FIG. 6 of the drawing shows only one value transfer rack. The racks are felt by the stepped body. This, however does not apply to the first six racks because during calculating operations no overdrawing of the capacity is possible in this low digit range.

On the left-hand side adjacent the twelve value transfer racks 4, there are provided two so-called strike-off racks 4' which check thethirteenth and fourteenth value and of which the drawing only shows one. These racks 4' move `out only when during the calculating operation without comma the total mechanism (not shown) is felt for recording the product or total and when the thirteenth and fourteenth digit of the on the inserted value, one or both racks 4' move out with the collecting rail 222 which operation, as mentioned above. is possible in case of a capacity overdraw. the angled-off portion 228 and with the latter the feeler lever cannot pivot because the angled-off portion remains stuck below the racks 4'.

Shaft 2 is controlled by the main machine shaft through the intervention of a roller lever 7, 8. The arm 8 of the roller lever 7, 8 journaled on shaft 9 is engaged by a tension spring 10 the other end of which is connected to another shaft 10and simultaneously presses the arm 7 which is provided with a roller 11 against cam disc 6 on the main machine shaft 5 and causes the other arm 8 provided with a gear segment 12 to engage a digit counting body 214 which is connected to shaft 2 and provided with a gear segment 13. The body 214 has integral therewith a stepped protrusion 215, 217 which has its free end provided with circular arc-shaped key tracks 216, 218 (FlGS. 7a-7d). The stepped protrusion 215, 217 is homogeneous as to material with the body 214. The protrusion 215, 217 or the feeler tracks may be engaged by four pivotable levers 232, 234-236 arranged adjacent to each other on shaft 9 and provided with arms 236-239, said engagement being effected by a tension spring 83. Each of these tension springs has one end connected to shaft 10 and has its other end connected to the arms 84 associated with the individual levers 232, 234-236. The four levers 232,f 234-236 are furthermore provided with arms 236'237'238'239 by means of which they engage the cam body 40 connected to the main machine shaft 5. The structure and function of the selector and the function slides 43-45 have been discussed in detail above. lt may, however,

once more be pointed out that the selector 42 determines which of the four pivoted levers 232, 234-236 is permitted to carry out a feeling movement on the digit counting body 214 while also a simultaneous feeling movement by a plurality of pivotable levers is possible.

With regard to the course of the functions in the four basic calculating types, reference is again made to the above described example which is also applicable in case of capacity overdraw with the exception of an overdraw in the first factor during multiplications. For the last mentioned instance. the

` lever 234 has a slide 281 (FIGS. 6 and 7d) arranged on its arm likewise nonillustrated 14 digit calculating carriage contains values above zero and the same fall into the range of the strike-off racks. ln such an instance` these digits are again turned to zero and the printing of the incorrect value must be prevented. To this end, thel check-off racks 4' are checked by a feeler lever 220 which when occupying its base positionin which the printing is prevented has its nose'221 located under a collecting rail 222 common to all gear racks. By means of its angled-off portion 223, lever 220 keeps a lever 224 providing vfor the release of the printing mechanism out of the range of action of a control bolt 226 which is vconnected to a cam disc 225. lf the collecting rail 222 which is controlled by the machine main shaft 5 in a well known but not illustrated manner has moved out toward the rear in the direction of the arrow A, it will relieve the feeler lever 220 so that the latter in view of a preloaded tension spring 227 pivots in clockwise 237 and movable in the direction ofthe arrowA. This slide 281 has both of its ends provided with an oblong hole 271. These holes 271 are each engaged by a guiding bolt 271' on arm 237. An arm 272 of the clearing lever 103 referred to above is adapted by means of a bolt 273 to move the slide 281 normally to its rear position. As soon, however, as a capacity overdrawing occurs with the eight digit first and seven digit second factor, in other words if the iirst factor of a multiplication has eight digits, the slide is by means of lever 232 or its bolt 285 displaced to its front position in a direction counter to the direction of the arrow A so that the now shortened lever 234 which is responsible for the second factor will drop in already with a seven digit second factor. The way in which the bolts 273 and 285 act upon the slide 281 is indicated in dash lines in FIG. 7d. lt may also be mentioned that the arm 236' of the lever 232 which merely serves for shortening the lever 234 is so designed that it'has the same outer contour as the recesses 229, 231; 49, 50 so that it will be simultaneously releases with the same for feeling movements.

The blocking slide S8 which after the actual value key has been depressed is in view of the shape of the slot 58' lifted into the dash line position, will if it occupies its front printing preventing position prevent the adjusting yoke journaled on shaft 99 from carrying out a pivoting movement which normally is transferred to the lever 224 (FIG. 6) through the intervention of a plurality of deviating members not shown in the drawing, and merely frees a symbol indicating capacity overdrawing for printing. As soon as the program shaft (FlGS. 2b and llmoves from position f to position g or a as described in the preceding example. the blocking lever 58 is by means of a pitching movement pivoted so that it disengages from the adjusting yoke 100 and releases its angled-off portion 109 and permits the blocking slide to return to its starting vurider the control of said function levers.

position.' The tilting movement ofthe blocking slide 58 is effected by a so-called separating lever 213, 213' or its bolt 119' which lever is controlled by a control disc 286 and its control pins 291 and 292 and is rotatable abouta shaft 290.

lt is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is, by no means, limited to the particular showing in the drawings but' also comprises any modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. ln a calculating machine: result means adapted to be ac tuated at the end of a calculating operation, and .control means for controlling said result means to prevent a result from being taken therefrom when the capacity of the machine is exceeded, said rmachine comprising reciprocable value transfer racks, a feeler means adjacentthe end position of said racks having feeling regions arranged spirally thereon for cooperation with selected ones of said racks upon rotation of said feeler means to limit the degree of rotation of said feeler means, digit counting means connected to said feeler means to rotate therewith, control linkage means operatively associated with said digit -counting means, said machine comprising decimal point preselecting means and operatively associated with said digit counting meansand also comprising function selecting means and function control means, feeler members pivotally mounted in said machine and having abutment means thereon, a rotatable cam body supportingly engaging said feeler members, a main machine shaft on which said cam body is mounted so as to be rotated thereby upon the insertion of a value into said machine ,or the performance of a function by said machine, said cam body having recess means in a circumferential position thereon which will release said feeler members for pivotal movement, feeler means on said feeler members for engagement with said digit counting means, said digit counting means permitting pivotal movement of said feeler members when released by said cam body only when the capacity of the machine is exceeded, and said abutment means actuating said control means into result preventing rposition upon "pivotal movement of any one of said feeler members.

2. A calculating machine according to claim 1, in which said function' control means comprises keyoperated linkage means and function levers operated thereby', and function slides 3.`A calculating machine according to claim 2, which includes blockingmeans for controlling the movement of said 'key operated linkage means,a program cam controlling said 'blocking means, and a link connecting said blocking means to said function selecting means. i'

4. A calculating machine according to claim '2, in which said function selecting means is in th'e form of a tiltable lever, said function slides havingv the one ends thereof operatively associated with said function levers and being fork shaped at the other end, a shaft engaging said fork shaped ends of said func' tion levers, a tiltable yoke supporting said shaft,.and function selecting meansadjusting meanson atleast some of said func- 1 tion levers.

5. A calculating machine according to claimI 4, in which said function selecting means is in the form of a pivoted lever having nose means engageable by saidy adjusting means on said function levers, and a rail carried by said function selecting lever cooperating with said feeler members for selecting a respective feeler member in each position of said function selecting lever.

6. A calculating machine according to claim l, in which said feeler means isin the form of a member having steps spirally arranged thereon.

' 7. A calculating machine according to claim l, in which said l digit countingmeans comprises a pawl carrier movable with said feeler meansa' pawl on said carrier, a toothed counting discrotatable relative to said pawl carrier and engaged by said recesses, said protrusions and recesses cooperating with said feeler means.

8. A calculating machine according to claim 7, which includes a cam on said main machine shaft, and a lever pivoted in said machine and having one end engaging said cam and having teeth on the other end engaging said gear sector.

9. A calculating machine according to claim l` in which said feeler members have notches in the ends thereof remote from said feeler means, said function selecting means comprising a tiltable lever having a plate thereon adapted in different positions of said lever to register with respective ones of said notches, said digit counting means comprising recesses and protrusions cooperating with said feeler means,veach feeler member having an arm extending angularly therefrom, a slide, and a bar on the slide extending past all of said arms for actuation of the slide upon tilting of any of said feeler members, said slide controlling said control means.

10. A calculating machine according to claim 9, in which said feeler members are pivoted on a common shaft, said cam body having an axial recess therein, and each feeler member having a region engaging said cam body and of such circumferential extent as to be receivable in said recess.

l1. A calculating machine according to claim l0, which includes a slide member slidable on one of said feeler members, said slide members havingan ear adjacent one end of the respective feeler member and a cam engaging surface in an intermediate region, a notch in said one end of said lever adapted to be opened or closed by said ear, a blade adapted to be positioned under said notch so as to permit tilting of the respective feeler member when the notch is opened, and a cam adapted to engage said cam engaging surface and move said slide member to open said no'tchwhen dividends are en- ,tered into the highest digit places of the machine.

12. A calculating machine according to claim l0, which includes a slide member slidable on'one of said feeler members, said slide member having an end part adjacent the feeling means of the respective feeler ymember and a cam engaging surface, and a cam engaging said cam lengaging surface operable for moving said slid'e member into effective position.

13. A calculating machine according to claim 2, `in which one of said function slides includes a pin extending laterally therefrom, a blocking slide, an angular slot in said blocking slide engagedby said pin for causing lifting of said blocking slide upon relative reciprocation between vsaid blocking slide y and said one function slide. f

second pawls` engaging the periphery of said disc, said first pawl being movable with saidfeeler means and counting digits into said discs, said second pawl holding said disc against movement upon retraction of saidiirst pawl.

l5. A calculating machine according to claim 14, which in'- cludes a shiftable plate with an inclined edge, said second pawl being mounted on a pivoted lever, said lever having a pin adapted to engage said inclined edge for moving said second pawl toward and away from said disc upon shifting of said p ate.

v16. ln a calculating machine: result means adapted to be actuated at the end of a calculating operation, and control means for controlling said result means to prevent a result from being taken therefrom when the capacity of the machine is exceeded, said machine comprising reciprocable value transfer racks and reciprocable strike off racks. a rotatable feeler element adjacent the end position of said transfer racks having spirally arranged areas thereon adapted to engage the respective racks to stop the feeler element, a digit counting member connected to said feeler element to rotatether'ewith, feeler memberspivotally mounted in said machine and having one end adjacent said digit counting members, said machine .comprising function controlling means and function selecting means arranged in controlling relation to said feeler members,

a rotatable cam' body supportingly engaging said feeler members and having a recess adapted in a certain rotated position of said cam body to lpermit tilting of said feeler members unless such tilting is prevented by said digit counting member at said one end of said feeler members or by said function selecting means at the other end of said levers, abutment arms on said feeler members, a blocking slide having a bar extending in front of said abutment arms and movable into result blocking position by the tilting of any one of said feeler members, a

lever tiltable into result blocking position, said strike off racks in an end position holding said 4lever in result blocking position, said digit counting member comprising a one piece member with a rib thereon for engagement by said feeler members, and at least one of said feeler members including means for adjusting the length thereon on the end adjacent said digit counting body.

17. A calculating machine according to claim 16,` in which said lever has an angled off portion engageable beneath said strike off racks in said end position thereof.

18. A calculating machine according to claim I6. in which at least one of said feeler members includes means for reducing the length of the end thereof adjacent said digit counting member.

19. A calculating machine according to claim 16` in which the means for adjusting the length of said feeler members comprises a slide slidably mounted on the said feeler member, and means for adjusting the slide on the feeler member.

20. A calculating machine according to claim 16, which includes a program shaft, a control lever controlled by said program shaft, and means for actuating said blocking slide by said lever.

2l. A calculating machine according to claim 20` in which said control lever is two armed, a cam on said program shaft engaging one arm of said control lever, and a pin on the other arm of said lever engageable with said blocking slide. 

1. In a calculating machine: result means adapted to be actuated at the end of a calculating operation, and control means for controlling said result means to prevent a result from being taken therefrom when the capacity of the machine is exceeded, said machine comprising reciprocable value transfer racks, a feeler means adjacent the end position of said racks having feeling regions arranged spirally thereon for cooperation with selected ones of said racks upon rotation of said feeler means to limit the degree of rotation of said feeler means, digit counting means connected to said feeler means to rotate therewith, control linkage means operatively associated with said digit counting means, said machine comprising decimal point preselecting means and operatively associated with said digit counting means and also comprising function selecting means and function control means, feeler members pivotally mounted in said machine and having abutment means thereon, a rotatable cam body supportingly engaging said feeler members, a main machine shaft on which said cam body is mounted so as to be rotated thereby upon the insertion of a value into said machine or the performance of a function by said machine, said cam body having recess means in a circumferential position thereon which will release said feeler members for pivotal movement, feeler means on said feeler members for engagement with said digit counting means, said digit counting means permitting pivotal movement of said feeler members when released by said cam body only when the capacity of the machine is exceeded, and said abutment means actuating said control means into result preventing position upon pivotal movement of any one of said feeler members.
 2. A calculating machine according to claim 1, in which said function control means comprises key operated linkage means and function levers operated thereby, and function slides under the control of said function levers.
 3. A calculating machine according to claim 2, which includes blocking means for controlling tHe movement of said key operated linkage means, a program cam controlling said blocking means, and a link connecting said blocking means to said function selecting means.
 4. A calculating machine according to claim 2, in which said function selecting means is in the form of a tiltable lever, said function slides having the one ends thereof operatively associated with said function levers and being fork shaped at the other end, a shaft engaging said fork shaped ends of said function levers, a tiltable yoke supporting said shaft, and function selecting means adjusting means on at least some of said function levers.
 5. A calculating machine according to claim 4, in which said function selecting means is in the form of a pivoted lever having nose means engageable by said adjusting means on said function levers, and a rail carried by said function selecting lever cooperating with said feeler members for selecting a respective feeler member in each position of said function selecting lever.
 6. A calculating machine according to claim 1, in which said feeler means is in the form of a member having steps spirally arranged thereon.
 7. A calculating machine according to claim 1, in which said digit counting means comprises a pawl carrier movable with said feeler means, a pawl on said carrier, a toothed counting disc rotatable relative to said pawl carrier and engaged by said pawl, a gear segment on said pawl carrier, circumferentially spaced protrusions on said gear segment, and said counting disc comprising circumferentially spaced protrusions and recesses, said protrusions and recesses cooperating with said feeler means.
 8. A calculating machine according to claim 7, which includes a cam on said main machine shaft, and a lever pivoted in said machine and having one end engaging said cam and having teeth on the other end engaging said gear sector.
 9. A calculating machine according to claim 1, in which said feeler members have notches in the ends thereof remote from said feeler means, said function selecting means comprising a tiltable lever having a plate thereon adapted in different positions of said lever to register with respective ones of said notches, said digit counting means comprising recesses and protrusions cooperating with said feeler means, each feeler member having an arm extending angularly therefrom, a slide, and a bar on the slide extending past all of said arms for actuation of the slide upon tilting of any of said feeler members, said slide controlling said control means.
 10. A calculating machine according to claim 9, in which said feeler members are pivoted on a common shaft, said cam body having an axial recess therein, and each feeler member having a region engaging said cam body and of such circumferential extent as to be receivable in said recess.
 11. A calculating machine according to claim 10, which includes a slide member slidable on one of said feeler members, said slide members having an ear adjacent one end of the respective feeler member and a cam engaging surface in an intermediate region, a notch in said one end of said lever adapted to be opened or closed by said ear, a blade adapted to be positioned under said notch so as to permit tilting of the respective feeler member when the notch is opened, and a cam adapted to engage said cam engaging surface and move said slide member to open said notch when dividends are entered into the highest digit places of the machine.
 12. A calculating machine according to claim 10, which includes a slide member slidable on one of said feeler members, said slide member having an end part adjacent the feeling means of the respective feeler member and a cam engaging surface, and a cam engaging said cam engaging surface operable for moving said slide member into effective position.
 13. A calculating machine according to claim 2, in which one of said function slides includes a pin extending laterally therefrom, a blocking slide, an angular slot in said blocking slide engaged by said pIn for causing lifting of said blocking slide upon relative reciprocation between said blocking slide and said one function slide.
 14. A calculating machine according to claim 7, in which said digit counting means includes a toothed disc, first and second pawls engaging the periphery of said disc, said first pawl being movable with said feeler means and counting digits into said discs, said second pawl holding said disc against movement upon retraction of said first pawl.
 15. A calculating machine according to claim 14, which includes a shiftable plate with an inclined edge, said second pawl being mounted on a pivoted lever, said lever having a pin adapted to engage said inclined edge for moving said second pawl toward and away from said disc upon shifting of said plate.
 16. In a calculating machine: result means adapted to be actuated at the end of a calculating operation, and control means for controlling said result means to prevent a result from being taken therefrom when the capacity of the machine is exceeded, said machine comprising reciprocable value transfer racks and reciprocable strike off racks, a rotatable feeler element adjacent the end position of said transfer racks having spirally arranged areas thereon adapted to engage the respective racks to stop the feeler element, a digit counting member connected to said feeler element to rotate therewith, feeler members pivotally mounted in said machine and having one end adjacent said digit counting members, said machine comprising function controlling means and function selecting means arranged in controlling relation to said feeler members, a rotatable cam body supportingly engaging said feeler members and having a recess adapted in a certain rotated position of said cam body to permit tilting of said feeler members unless such tilting is prevented by said digit counting member at said one end of said feeler members or by said function selecting means at the other end of said levers, abutment arms on said feeler members, a blocking slide having a bar extending in front of said abutment arms and movable into result blocking position by the tilting of any one of said feeler members, a lever tiltable into result blocking position, said strike off racks in an end position holding said lever in result blocking position, said digit counting member comprising a one piece member with a rib thereon for engagement by said feeler members, and at least one of said feeler members including means for adjusting the length thereon on the end adjacent said digit counting body.
 17. A calculating machine according to claim 16, in which said lever has an angled off portion engageable beneath said strike off racks in said end position thereof.
 18. A calculating machine according to claim 16, in which at least one of said feeler members includes means for reducing the length of the end thereof adjacent said digit counting member.
 19. A calculating machine according to claim 16, in which the means for adjusting the length of said feeler members comprises a slide slidably mounted on the said feeler member, and means for adjusting the slide on the feeler member.
 20. A calculating machine according to claim 16, which includes a program shaft, a control lever controlled by said program shaft, and means for actuating said blocking slide by said lever.
 21. A calculating machine according to claim 20, in which said control lever is two armed, a cam on said program shaft engaging one arm of said control lever, and a pin on the other arm of said lever engageable with said blocking slide. 